Derek Carr leads the nation in passing yards and passing touchdowns while guiding No. 22 Fresno State to a 10-1 record

Dec. 5, 2013

By Jason Clayjaclay@csufresno.eduGoBulldogs.com

TOWSON, Md. - Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr was named Thursday to the Capital One Academic All-America second-team, becoming the fifth Academic All-American in school history.

Carr, a recreation administration and leisure service management major, joins Payton Williams (1999, second-team), Andrew Jackson (2009, first-team), Robert Malone (2009, second-team) and Vince Pascoe (2010, second-team) as the only Academic All-Americans in school history.

"Being named an Academic All-American, Derek Carr has once again proven why I believe he is the top student-athlete in college football," Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter said. "Congratulations to Derek and his family for this prestigious honor."

He also becomes the 28th different football player in Mountain West history to receive the high distinction of being named an Academic All-American.

The Bulldog senior as already met all requirements towards his degree and is set to graduate this December.

On Monday, Carr heads to New York City to be honored as one of 16 National Football Foundation National-Scholar Athletes. The NFF's 56th Annual Awards Dinner, where the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame inductees will also be honored, is set for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the historic Waldorf-Astoria. Carr is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman, and that award will be presented at Tuesday's awards dinner.

On Wednesday, Carr was also named as the winner of the 2013 Sammy Baugh Award that honors college football's top passer. He joined former Bulldog quarterbacks Trent Dilfer (1993) and David Carr (2001) as winners of that award.

Other awards Carr is up for is the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award, both of which he is a finalist for. Carr is also a Heisman Trophy Candidate, as he leads the nation in just about every statistical passing category.

Carr is responsible for 42 more touchdowns than he is turnovers this season, which leads all other FBS players by six.

The entire nation will be able to see Carr's talents on the field Saturday night, as the Bulldogs host Utah State in the Mountain West Championship game that CBS is televising nationally. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. PT.

"Catch the Wave" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.